Sustainable Energy Policy Advisor
Employer: / Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) under the “Technical Assistance Programme for Sustainable Energy in the Caribbean (TAPSEC)”
Barbados Office at the Caribbean Development Bank, P.O. Box 408, Wildey, St. Michael, Barbados, W.I. BB11000
Reports to: / Head of the TAPSEC Programme(AV)
Deputy: / --
Date Posted: / Immediate
Job Type and Duration: / Full-Time Employment Contract from 01 July 2018 – 30 June 2019, with a renewal option
Job Location: / CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana
Salary level: / The salary level will be based on qualifications and experience in line with the salary levels in the CARICOM Secretariat.
Interested persons should submit CV and Application no later than 20 June 2018 to the following email address: / , Subject of the Email should read - “Sustainable Energy Policy Advisor”
Notes: / We will only contact applicants who are being considered. Thank you for your understanding.
  1. Responsibilities

The Policy Advisor will work as a member of the TAPSEC team and supports the Energy Programme of the CARICOM Secretariat in its efforts to making a shift toward greater utilization of sustainable energy options. The focus of the support is to accelerate implementation of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS). The Policy Advisorwill be particularly responsible for and contribute to a successful implementation of the TAPSEC Policy Component, within the CARIFORUM region.

The main activities in the Policy Component are the following:

The implementation of regulatory frameworks that enable renewable energy development and energy efficiency at the national level of the Member States is supported, as best as possible, through a collective, regional approach:

  1. Support the establishment of a regional implementation and monitoring framework for the implementation of the C-SERMS, based on (and including lessons learnt from) other regions.
  2. Support the strengthening of regulatory reforms, which have the potential to increase the flexibility of the energy systems to absorb increased levels of renewable power generation, in particular from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), as well as energy efficiency. The Programme will also examine potential opportunities for utilizing existing institutional arrangementsto identify and promote best practices, and to enhance competence within the regulatory environment for electricity.
  3. Facilitate the transition from the traditional utility approach in the region towards an integrated utility services (IUS) approach. This will be done by providing support for the establishment and implementation of new energy services models in member countries, focusing especially on the improvement of business opportunities for electric utilities and energy service providers from the private sector within the “emerging energy paradigm” in which consumers seek to increase their choice in how they source and use energy.
  4. Support improvements in the institutional effectiveness of the primary institutions responsible for matters related to energy governance and decisionsupportwithin the region. This will extend also to national government departments and agencies responsible for energy, as well as functional nonstate actors, such as chambers of commerce and civil society groups.
  5. Support the strengthening of the regional quality infrastructure for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and products. This could include the harmonisation of minimum energy performance standards and labels for electrical appliances and public and private buildings; and green building codes in the public, commercial and private sector; and the dissemination, management and enforcement of the universal application of the related technical standards and regulations within the region. Some work related to this is already being supported by CROSQ, INDOCAL and other regional entities, including the CARICOM Secretariat.
  6. Strengthening the process for standardizing certification for RE and EE skills, to include the provision of support to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), as well as similar institutions in nonCXC territories within CARIFORUM. In particular, options for mainstreaming the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Certificate as a regional certification programme for RE and EE, along with the identification and designation of equivalency arrangements in the DR and other nonCVQ Members of CARIFORUM, will be prioritized.
  7. Support the introduction and harmonisation of the legislative framework and conducive business environment for promoting sustainable energy use within the transport sector, including the provision of models for advanced vehicle technologies and alternate fuel use for targeted public and private productive sectors.
  8. Support the implementation and national level adaptation of the policy and legislation requirements for the Regional Energy Efficiency Strategy, including EE laws and regulations, within CARICOM member states, with extension of the lessons and applicable elements to the DR.
  9. Facilitate and communicate energy system modelling for various national and regional scenarios as a policy decision support tool for member states in promoting planning and implementation towards attainment of their energy targets.
  1. Tasks

The Policy Advisor will perform a “mix”of analytical and advisory tasks, mainly focused on the following:

  • Recommending and providing guidance on global and regional policy, legislative and regulatory trendsand best practicesfor sustainable energies, especially those that are applicable to island contexts, in relation to sustainable energy production, delivery and use;
  • Assessing existing sustainable energy policies, laws and regulations within the region and providing critical analysis in regards to their suitability for encouraging RE and EE development, at the scale that is necessary for the attainment of national and regional targets;
  • Advising on the appropriateness of the existing policy, legal and regulatory framework for sustainable energy, in terms of the ability of the framework to attract private investments, with focus on the legal transactions that are necessary for the development of different project types. Within this task, the Advisor is expected to regularly identify policy, legal and regulatory gaps and barriers that are prohibitive to the promotion of RE and EE markets, and projects, within the region, and propose adjustments that canimprove the ability of the framework to successfully promotethe sustainable energy markets;
  • Evaluatingand advising on the impact of energy policies, laws and regulations, with focus on the economical, sociopolitical, environmental impacton countries within the region, as well as the micro-impact of policies, laws and regulationson the technoeconomic feasibility, especially the financial viability, of projects;
  • Evaluating and advising on the use of incentives, to include their potential role and impact (both positive and negative) in comparison to international practice, for promoting RE and EE markets, in general, and projects, in particular;
  • Advising on the use of energy efficiency codes, standards and regulations for demandside management, with focus on supporting the conformity requirements for implementation;
  • Providing technical assistance, including the development of drafting notes, toward the drafting of new primary (or secondary) legislation, or legislative amendments, that are necessary to facilitate transactions related tosustainable energy infrastructure, and provide guidance on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of such transactions;
  • Providing diagnostic surveys on the legal issues associated with the management of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of transactions related to sustainable energy infrastructure, within Member States;
  • Assessing opportunities and recommending the requirements and options for the harmonization of national policies, laws and regulations on energy, and related areas, as a means to accelerate the development of regional (or subregional) power markets;
  • Assessing the opportunities and designing actions for the development and implementation of policies, laws and regulations to promote sustainable energyuse within the transport sector;
  • Supporting regional multi-sectoral teams, and mentoring staff in national ministries and public agencies (including regulatory authorities), in regards to the implementation of policies, laws and regulations, to include advisement on tariffsetting and performance benchmarking, as well as contracting and other projectrelated transactions.
  • Proposing and supporting the development and implementation of initiatives and actions to building capacity for staff responsible for the development and management of energy policy, legislation and regulations, to include electricity regulators, within Member States; and
  • Supporting the development and implementation of awareness strategies that are related to energy policy, law and regulations.
  • In addition to these main tasks, general taskswill include,as required:
  • Administrative and supportive activities, such as, report writing, project documentation, public relations work, project management and monitoring;
  • Preparation and assistance in the implementation of capacity building measures;
  • Strategy development and coordination functions, which could include liaising with relevant international, regional or national entities, including governments; and
  • Publications, containing analytical and advisory work, such as the Policy Briefs for stakeholder interest groups, Cabinet Notes for governments, and Working Documents for meetings of the various Organs of CARICOM.
  1. Required qualifications, competences and experience

The Policy Advisor must comply with the following requirements:

  • Candidates must be a national of one of CARICOM member countries, and

Qualifications

  • Professional training in energy policy and regulations.
  • A minimum of a Master’s Degree in energy law, environmental law, or a related discipline,or a subject area such as energy economics, etc.
  • Qualification in a technical area of study, such as engineering, natural sciences, environmental sciences, etc. is an asset but is not required.
  • Technical qualification can be combined with professional certification and/or experience in energy policy, law and regulations as an alternative to the previouslystated minimum academic requirement.

Professional experience

  • At least seven (7) years of experiences in energy policy, legislation and regulations, through analysis, development and implementation work within either the public or private sector, but with focus on macroissues at the national and multinational levels. Experience within the Caribbean is an asset but is not a requirement;
  • Sound knowledge of sustainable energy policies, laws and regulations (especially for the electricity sector) within the Caribbean;
  • Experiences in the design and analysis of laws and regulations for supporting sustainable energy deployment. Knowledge of contracting and PPA development for renewable power is an asset;
  • Experiences in policy, laws and regulations (including pricing mechansisms) within some of the following are is highly desirable: Clean Energy (renewables and energy efficiency); Energy Access and Rural Electrification; Power Systems and Development of Competitive Power Markets;Power Sector Pricing and Reform; Distributed Generation (especially for solar PV, wind and small-CHP); and Baseload Renewables (especially geothermal and hydropower).
  • Experiences in the design of regulated energy efficiency mechanisms, such as Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)and/or other ESCO-related Models;
  • Sound knowledge of the issues that are linked to the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologieswithin SIDS, in general, and the Caribbean, in particular;
  • Deep understanding of energy sector regulation, including issues related to pricesetting and benchmarking (for the fuel and electricity sector);
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, leadershipand stakeholder management skills; and
  • Ability to work in a team, as well as to think innovatively.

The Candidates CV’s should include details about their concrete involvement or experiences with (sustainable energy) policies and regulations.

Other knowledge, additional competences

  • Experience with working in a multinational environment, such as a firm, NGO or international development organization;
  • General computer proficiency, especially in Microsoft Office or similar tool;
  • Strong oral and written communication, and presentation, skills, including advocacy;
  • Very good interpersonal skills and fluent in English Language (writing and speaking), Spanish and/or French fluency would be an additional asset; and
  • Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed –corresponding measures are agreed with management.

As part of the knowledge management focus of the TAPSEC, the successful candidate is expected to author peerreviewed and other publications in relation to knowledge generated from the tasks performed during this Assignment.

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